Though social worker is obviously the common profession a social work major will pursue, it is a broad field with many career possibilities. If you enter this field, you will gain skills and knowledge that will enable you to qualify for several positions.
Social Worker
While many agencies require that social workers hold a master's degree in the field, others are willing to hire someone with only a bachelor's degree. Being a social worker requires excellent communication skills and the ability to understand government programs and other private resources to make solid client referrals.
Employment Counselor
An employment counselor helps the unemployed find work or the employed advance their careers. The counselor examines the counselee's skills, attempting to either identify potential fields to enter or even to directly help find a job. State governments hire many employment counselors but private organizations employ others. Like social workers, employment counselors must be good listeners to identify needs.
Child Welfare Worker
A child welfare worker is responsible for ensuring that guardians are properly taking care of their children. Often employed with child protective service agencies, child welfare workers may be responsible for evaluating a child's home life, then deciding whether state intervention is necessary. As with social workers, child welfare workers will often conduct interviews, including both the child and the child's family.
Alcohol and Drug Counselor
Social workers often deal with people who have substance abuse problems, responsible for helping them get admitted into treatment programs. Sometimes, social workers will choose to specialize in the treatment of this type of client and become drug and alcohol counselors. These counselors help clients develop strategies for staying off substances and aid them in other areas of their lives perhaps impacting their substance abuse.
